But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: …
Summary: Do we really have to “rid” ourselves of the things on Paul’s list of bad habits? The answer to that question leads us to a deeper understanding of God’s will for us. In the end, we discover that spiritual growth involves work, but this work is a response to God’s grace, not a means of earning salvation.
Our last meditation discovered an interesting link between our Lord’s parable about the kingdom of heaven and how we are to live our lives as believers. In our passage for this meditation, Paul doubles down on that discovery.
What was that discovery, you ask?
Simply this: God expects us to work for his kingdom while we are here.
Paul expands on this when he tells us what kind of work we must do. He says, “But now you must also rid yourselves of …”, and then he lists things that require work to get rid of.
Think of our spiritual life as a garden.
Paul describes the weeds in this garden when he lists those that belong to our “earthly nature.” Things like sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed” (Colossians 3:5) and “anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language” (Colossians 3:8).
Keeping the “weeds” out of our lives is work!
This is where Jesus’ parable of the landowner is helpful. Some people get hung up on the issue of “works righteousness.” The argument goes something like this:
Paul says, “… a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Therefore, all we have to do is accept Jesus as Lord, and we are guaranteed a spot in heaven. Paul says in another place, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The problem is that there are other verses in the Bible that seem to contradict this idea. James’ letter is especially clear on this point. He writes, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).
So which is it? Are we supposed to be working in the garden, pulling “weeds” every day, or is it okay to sit in the shade of a fig tree sipping a cool drink while we wait for the Lord’s return?
The key to answering this question is that there are different kinds of “works” and “deeds.”
Paul is right to say, “a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” The “works of the law” are specific religious rules that the Jews taught had to be followed to be righteous in God’s sight. The Old Covenant law cannot save a person because we are not capable of keeping the law. We need the blood of Jesus to be our righteousness before God (Ephesians 1:7).
This is where James’ “deeds” come into play.
Every believer has work to do in the kingdom of God. If we are to follow the Great Commandment (Matthew 22: 37-40), then we have to put God’s will before our own. We need to feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty (Matthew 25:35). We also need to work on removing the log from our own eye (Matthew 7:3 [ESV]) as well as weed out the things Paul has put on his list.
Application: Hoe! Hoe! Hoe!
Food for Thought: How do we get rid of things like “evil desires?”
Good devotional brother.
There are many aspects or answers to your question. But sometimes the best way to get rid of what we don’t want is by immersing ourselves in what we do want. The best way to get air out of a glass is to fill it with water. If we are filled with the fruit of the Spirit we will be less inclined to follow our sinful nature.
Galatians 5: 16 – 17: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5: 22 – 26: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Thank you, Rich!
Being filled with God’s Spirit seems like the right approach. As you point out the Good displaces the Bad. 🙂
Good devotion and Rich’s comment was very well said.
I would also say, along those same lines, one cannot make allowances for sin. If the intent of the heart does not fully measure up to the Gospel of Christ, then one should turn from it completely. Otherwise one may find themselves storing up “treasures of guilty pleasures” in their heart. Like spiritually “towing the line”, an attitude that will eventually lead to evil desires.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for everything you do flows from it”
Thanks Chris.
Great point! That is part of the “work” Paul is pointing us to.
Great devotion and comments as usual by R and Ch!
Years ago I came across a book in Christian Supply titled, “ Love God and do as you please “, by Morris L. Venden. Today is is being offered on Amazon.
I really enjoyed the wisdom expressed in this paperback. Bottom line is, when we love God, our primary desire becomes “ to please God ” and evil desires of our flesh will simple fade away, as our priority becomes pleasing God. As time passes we find God will turn our attention to His desire for us to love and serve others over ourselves. All the work is taken out of life as we focus on submission to God doing His DO’S, and simply experience His transformation as we no longer have desires or the time to do the DON’T’S
Colossians 3:15-17, Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Always rejoice, 17 constantly pray, 18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 22 Stay away from every form of evil.
Thanks, Ron!
It sounds like the “work” in this case is actively making room for God to be present in our lives.
Just doesn’t leave time or desire to participate in the monkey business of this world.
Jeff, Good study with good comments.
Thanks, Paul! 🙂